Metal recycling is a fast-growing and essential industry that faces the risk of radiation. But with advanced personal radiation detectors, metal recyclers can stay safe.
The global metal recycling industry is expected to grow up to $76.1 billion by 2025. And the cumulative average growth rate (CAGR) is expected to be 7.8% between 2020 to 2025. With that, it is obvious that it is an important economic sector employing several people. The governments of several nations mandate metal recycling. It is financially rewarding too. And also addresses our concerns about resource depletion.
But, metal recyclers also face the risk of radiation exposure and contamination.
The only way to keep the risks low is to make use of next-gen radiation detection technology.
Personal radiation detectors can identify radioactive scrap metal. And aware recyclers of potential threats. Giving them enough time to take preventive measures and save themselves.
This content will try to understand how these devices help in safely recycling scrap metal. But first, it is important to discuss the radiation threats that metal recyclers face.
How Are Metal Recyclers Exposed to Radiation Threats?
Metal recyclers get scrap metal from plenty of sources. And radioactive components can accidentally enter the scarp recycling unit. Waste from building demolition sites might contain radioactive elements. And the industrial sector can be the source of radioactive waste too. Radioactive substances are used in hospitals and for research purposes in laboratories, and they can also end up in scrap metal yards.
And some of these radioactive elements can also make other stuff radioactive.
How do things become radioactive?
When exposed to neutron radiations, nonradioactive elements can also become radioactive. In such situations, the risk from radioactivity is multiplied manifold.
Even naturally occurring radioactive elements pose a radiation threat to metal recyclers. Such elements are mostly unregulated. And can end up in junk metal recycling units without the knowledge of the recyclers.
Impact of Radiation Threats on Metal Recyclers
The scrap metal and recycling industry is spread far. Inadequacies in identifying and eliminating radioactive metal can cause widespread havoc.
If radioactive scarp goes undetected, it might get used for manufacturing a product. And the product might land in a consumer’s hand or in the medical industry. This poses a health risk for the end-user.
If nuclear metals are left unidentified, radiation exposure can cause health issues for recyclers. These can be both short-term and long-term. This is harmful to anyone who comes in contact with them.
Another aspect of concern for metal recyclers is that they are often exposed to low-intensity radioactive elements. They cause no short-term health issues. And this makes metal recyclers complacent. The small amounts of radiation exposure, accumulated over time, results in health issues. These issues can manifest in the form of cancer, leukemia, or other genetic disorders.
Also, sometimes, the impact is non-medical but still catastrophic.
Radioactive elements can destroy scrap metal processing equipment. Or disrupt their normal functioning. This will cause huge economic losses for metal recyclers. And also increase the risk of accidents.
Questionable radioactive elements that may or may not be harmful to health can also degrade the quality of recycled metal. This is likely to result in customer dissatisfaction and legal troubles. Thereby leading to financial losses for metal recyclers.
To sum up, health risks from radiation remain the primary concern for metal recyclers. But radioactive elements in metal scrap cannot be ignored for several other reasons too.
New Generation Personal Radiation Detectors – Offering a New Level of Protection for Metal Recyclers
Nuclear waste recycled in the wrong way can be disastrous. But metal recyclers can now rest assured that they are safe from harm.
That’s because technology enhancements have brought forward a range of new generation personal radiation detectors. These handy and extremely accurate devices can offer a significant degree of protection.
Metal recyclers can protect themselves from most types of radiation that they are likely to be exposed to. For example, different types of shielding can save you from the health impact of Alpha, beta, or gamma radiations.
You can increase your distance from the identified radiation source. Or limit the amount of time for which you are exposed to it to avoid repercussions.
But all this is possible only when you know that a certain radioactive element is present around you. Dosimeters and personal radiation detectors are radiation detection equipment used for this purpose.
Individual metal recyclers can use these devices. And they can measure and monitor the level of radiation that they are currently exposed to.
This helps immediately identify radioactive metals in metal recycling units.
As it is known, amending radioactivity related disasters is logistically tough and financially burdensome. And next-generation personal radiation detectors make sure that the risks are minimized.
ECOTEST Group aims to keep metal recyclers safe with our extensive range of modern and functional personal radiation detectors, dosimeters, and other devices.
We not only have highly accurate radiation measurement devices, but these devices are compact too. This gives metal recyclers the ease of carrying them on their persons. Also, we ensure that our devices are lightweight and do not interrupt the regular course of work.
With no hindrance to productivity and no need to carry bulky equipment, our personal radiation detectors are a boon for metal recyclers.
It is impossible to eliminate the risk of radiation in the metal recycling industry. But with ECOTEST Group’s personal radiation detectors, metal recyclers can keep themselves safe at all times.